‘It doesn’t define the lady working double shifts at Tesco to make ends meet, the teenage girl up late studying for her A Levels, the hairdresser who dreams of opening her own salon, the volunteer at the woman’s refuge trying to help those who need it most.

I've been to uni, got a degree, fend for myself and speak up about topics I'm passionate about. I'm sick of the stereotype. #iamanessexgirl

‘And it’s true, the ‘Essex girl’ you’re referring to, is just a girl, trying to decide who she is, just the same as everyone else.’

Natasha and Juliet, who both live in Essex, said: ‘We understand that a petition may not be enough to make a change, but it has sparked an interesting and positive conversation. Change has to start somewhere.

Olympic sailing star Saskia Clark, from West Mersea, and Oscar nominated actress Charlotte Rampling, from Braintree, Essex, have been cited as examples of true Essex Women by supporters of the campaign.

With more than 3,000 signatures so far, the duo’s aim is to get 5,000 which will allow them to submit the petition to Judy Pearsall, editorial director of Oxford English dictionaries, and representatives from Collins Dictionaries.